The works of Lord Byron A new, revised and enlarged edition, with illustrations. Edited by Ernest Hartley Coleridge and R. E. Prothero |
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WELL! THOU ART HAPPY. |
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 | The works of Lord Byron |  |
WELL! THOU ART HAPPY.
1
Well! thou art happy, and I feelThat I should thus be happy too;
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Warmly, as it was wont to do.
2
Thy husband's blest—and 'twill impartSome pangs to view his happier lot:
But let them pass—Oh! how my heart
Would hate him if he loved thee not!
3
When late I saw thy favourite child,I thought my jealous heart would break;
But when the unconscious infant smil'd,
I kiss'd it for its mother's sake.
4
I kiss'd it,—and repress'd my sighsIts father in its face to see;
But then it had its mother's eyes,
And they were all to love and me.
5
Mary, adieu! I must away:While thou art blest I'll not repine;
But near thee I can never stay;
My heart would soon again be thine.
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6
I deem'd that Time, I deem'd that Pride,Had quench'd at length my boyish flame;
Nor knew, till seated by thy side,
My heart in all,—save hope,—the same.
7
Yet was I calm: I knew the timeMy breast would thrill before thy look;
But now to tremble were a crime—
We met,—and not a nerve was shook.
8
I saw thee gaze upon my face,Yet meet with no confusion there:
One only feeling couldst thou trace;
The sullen calmness of despair.
9
Away! away! my early dreamRemembrance never must awake:
Oh! where is Lethe's fabled stream?
My foolish heart be still, or break.
November 2, 1808.
| The works of Lord Byron | |